Slate Coffee Table with unique lift top surface

We had the opportunity to rent an apartment in Tampa to be near family. Since this was a second residence for us, we had to purchase most of the furniture.

We, of course, headed first to the local IKEA, but then we fell in love with an entertainment center (not IKEA) with slate accents. So I set out to make the pieces we purchased from IKEA match!

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IKEA items used:

TRULSTORP coffee table with lift top
VITTSJÖ laptop table

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A closer look at the TRULSTORP coffee table

The TRULSTORP is a rectangular coffee table from IKEA that offers a smart solution to the neverending need for work surfaces and storage. Dimensions are 45 1/4 x 27 1/2″. The clever thing about the TRULSTORP coffee table is the divided table top, making it a very functional piece of furniture.

You can pull one of the table top halves towards you via the built in lift mechanism. The extended table top lets you work or eat from your sofa without the need to bend over. Under the table top, a practical storage space for books, magazines, remotes, and other small objects. The fixed table top means you can still place coffee table accessories and decor without the need to remove them every time you need the lift top.

As for durability, it’s made from chipboard so it will need the usual care for such material. Such as wiping clean with a damp cloth, then wiping the surface dry with a clean cloth. For the moving parts, do check regularly that all assembly fastenings are properly tightened and retighten when necessary. 

In IKEA US, it sells for $129.99. Local store prices may differ.

Other materials & tools:

3” x ¼” wood boards
Wood polystain
Peel and stick slate tiles
Brad nailer
Gorilla glue
Drill
Stain
Tile nippers

DIY Slate coffee table

I started with the TRULSTORP coffee table in white. I really liked this table because it is sturdy and we work from home (or apartment :)) so this offered an additional workspace.

I assembled the table but did not attach the liftable surface. I glued and then used a brad nailer to secure 3” x ¼” wood boards the sides of the table surface to frame it. 

Next, I used a grey wood polystain to try to match the grey stain on the entertainment center. The polystain seals and stains in one step, and I used only one coat, which leaves streaks of white show through, looking like wood grain!

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Then I used peel and stick slate tiles to fill in the rest of the table top, taking care to match the thicknesses so that the surface is as level as possible. (No spilled cocktails!)

You can only purchase a case online, but my local Home Depot had them in an individual sheet, for $3.99 ea. I used about 10- 15 sheets.

Once I finished tiling the table, I grouted it with black non-sanded grout that I had on hand.

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Once we received the entertainment center, I quickly realized the stains did not match. The entertainment center had much more of a brown undertone, so I restained the table right over the grey! Here is the finished slate coffee table.

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Slate side table

I also purchased the VITTSJÖ laptop stand to make a side table.

I removed the glass and purchased a blackboard/ whiteboard that I cut to size for the base to the tabletop.

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Grouted and sealed:

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Matching mirror with slate tiles

I then used the leftover blackboard, wood and slate tiles and some mirror tiles that I had from another project to create a mirror to match:

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Actually, I made many pieces to go with the entertainment center and coffee table.

I was on a roll but am only showing pieces that used stuff from IKEA.

~ by Terri Schafer

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